Over the past 25 years
mankind has attempted to control its tendency to pollute the environment.
It seems that the one area of the earth's surface mentioned more frequently
than any other in this regard is the Antarctic. Hardly a day passes without
hearing the now familiar phrases "depleting the ozone layer"
and "a hole in the ozone layer above the South Pole". At the
end of the austral summer, scientists from all over the world prepare
to vacate their Antarctic research stations thereby ending another summer
season of gathering data that has revealed information like the aforementioned.
There was a time only 65 years ago that these phrases were seldom, if
ever, uttered by human lips. It is that earlier time, the "golden
age" of 20th century exploration, that interests us in this essay.

The groundwork
for current research and study in the Antarctic was laid down during this
exciting era of worldwide exploration. Men like Dr. Larry Gould, Bernt
Balchen, Amory Waite and Dr. Thomas Poulter were responsible for pioneering
work that has opened a vast continent for scientific study. Anyone living
in the colder climates is familiar with the phrase "wind chill factor,"
a term coined by Dr. Paul Siple
during his many years of Antarctic research. However, it was mainly through
the efforts of one person that these noteworthy men were able to begin
mankind's exploration of this wondrous frozen continent. That man was
Richard E. Byrd.

When a
person hears his name, they normally envision an adventurous flyer conquering
the skies above the Atlantic Ocean or the North and South Poles. While
it is true that Byrd's most noteworthy accomplishments were in this regard,
his finest talent was in organizing and administrating these endeavors.
His ability to methodically and systematically plan and carry out his
adventures was the major reason for his success in every undertaking.
In talking about his many accomplishments, Admiral Byrd was always proudest
of the fact that under his command no human life was ever lost. His countless
hours of painstaking planning were the major reason for that achievement.

From the
time he was a youngster, almost until the day of his death, Byrd's life
was filled with adventure. Born on October 25, 1888 and raised in the
small country town of Winchester, Virginia, no hill was too high and no
valley too wide to stop this young adventurer. Great explorers were his
boyhood heroes: Davy Crockett, Sir Francis Drake, Magellan; but most of
all, Peary of the North Pole!

Byrd was
quoted as saying, "I toughened myself by going through the winters
at home with light underwear and by going without the protection of my
overcoat . . . the result I had hoped for came, for as time passed I became
inured to extremes of cold." Before he reached the age of 14 he had
traveled to the Philippine Islands at the invitation of a family friend,
U.S. Army Captain Adam C. Carson of Winchester, Virginia, who had been
sent to the islands as a Circuit Court judge. The young Dick Byrd was
his companion during horseback journeys into the hostile countryside to
dole out post-Spanish / American War justice. On one occasion Byrd was
attacked by marauding bandits. Escaping them, he out-raced his assailants
back to the U.S. Army detachment sent along to guard Capt. Carson.

During
his return voyage to the United States via Ceylon and the Red Sea to Port
Said, an event took place that left a lasting impression on this young
adventurer. The second mate forgot to wind the chronometer and the ship
lost her bearings; or, in other words, they got lost because someone forgot
to wind the clock used for navigating. Adm. Byrd later reflected on the
true meaning of the incident: "What happened impressed me tremendously.
I don't suppose I had ever thought so much about navigation before. I
knew the compass was necessary and had seen the officers shooting the
sun (using a sextant). But I did not know that time was a part of the
calculations in determining position. With the discovery that it was,
navigation became at once a mysterious and important function. I suppose
my interest in it dates from that moment."

Upon his
return to the United States the young Byrd began his formal education.
Family tradition dictated he attend the Virginia Military Institute and
this is what he did. After graduation he entered the U.S. Naval Academy
at Annapolis, Maryland, where he completed his training in the year 1912.
It was while attending these institutions that a series of sporting injuries
occurred that later left him unfit for sea duty in the U.S. Navy. How
ironic that a severely broken ankle would force him from sea duty to a
career in the fledgling Navy Air Corps. Here is where he would learn the
art that would lead to his name being etched in history.

Several
adventures and two New York City ticker-tape parades down Broadway later,
we found Adm. Byrd sitting in the office of Franklin D. Roosevelt, President
of the United States and . . . more notably for some of us . . . a stamp
collector. Byrd and Roosevelt were discussing the Admiral's forthcoming
return to Little America, Antarctica. It was at this moment in time that
the concept for one of the most unusual items in U.S. philatelic history
was born: A United States stamp to be used at a post office established
on non-U.S. territory. The president mentioned that it would be nice if
stamp collectors around the world could have a commemorative cancellation
from a U.S. Post Office set up at Little America during Byrd's upcoming
expedition. During the course of the conversation it was also suggested
that it might be nice if a special stamp was issued just for use on Little
America mail. Thus the concept for the "Little America" stamp
was born.

There are
several good reasons why this stamp was issued. Most importantly, it was
to honor Byrd. He was one of only three United States citizens to be honored
with a U.S. commemorative stamp while still living. Byrd, Edison
and Lindbergh make up this elite trio of Americans so honored! Secondly,
the stamp was used to help finance the expedition; revenue generated from
a special handling charge on all mail sent to Little America to receive
the unusual cancellation helped defray a small part of the expedition
expenses. No direct U.S. Government funding was made available to this
or any other Antarctic expeditions during this era. Byrd was totally dependent
on private and corporate donations to finance his first two Antarctic
expeditions. Lastly, President Roosevelt wanted a stamp of his own design
issued as a favor for a friend and political ally.

The Bureau
of Engraving and Printing (BEP) started work on the stamp in the fall
of 1933. The four original designs were rejected by President Roosevelt,
who in turn submitted a rough pencil sketch of his concept for the stamp.
It is interesting to note here that this was President Roosevelt's first
of several designs for postage stamps. Three additional designs were prepared
at the BEP by Victor S. McCloskey from F.D.R.'s sketch. All the designs
were similar but showed slight variations in routes taken by Byrd on prior
expeditions or flights. The stamp as we know it today is very similar
to these latter designs. However, one major difference deserves mention
and that is the denomination shown. It was originally intended to charge
25¢ for mail service to Little America. The decision to have these
stamps issued in the 3¢ value was a gesture of goodwill on Roosevelt's
part, aimed at stamp collectors. The additional handling charge for mail
carried to the Little America Post Office would be 50¢ per cover
and would be charged only to those wishing an Antarctic cancellation.

September
30, 1933 was the date the presses started up for the B.A.E. II stamp.
To quote from Max John, . . . "a distinguished company gathered in
the plate printing division of the Bureau this Friday afternoon to see
the presses started for the printing of the new 3¢ Byrd Antarctic
Expedition stamp. Rear Admiral Byrd himself, Postmaster General Farley
and many other officials were present when the wheels began to turn. When
the first sheet to come from the press was shown to Byrd, he exclaimed,
"Nothing has ever pleased me so much as this!" Farley stated,
" . . . President Roosevelt had ordered a full sheet of the new stamps
for his collection . . . "

The format
for the printing of the stamps was 200 stamps per sheet. The sheet was
marked and then separated into panes of 50 at horizontal and vertical
guide lines. All sheets were perforated 11 X 11 and gummed. No full sheets
were sold to the public; however, some exist today signed and dated by
both Farley and Byrd. These full sheets were gifts presented to personal
friends and supporters of Farley, Roosevelt and Byrd. The color was bright
blue, although a second lighter blue shade does exist in some lesser quantity.
The total printing run consisted of some 13 million stamps with approximately
six million being sold.

On October
9, 1933, the "Little America" stamps went on sale at the Philatelic
Agency in Washington, D.C. This agency was the only post office in the
entire country selling the stamp. Customers could either purchase stamps
through the mail with a postal money order or in person at the philatelic
window. At the time of issue the stamp was acceptable for use on all U.S.
mail. However, this was not the original intent of President Roosevelt
and the U.S. Post Office. When the stamp was first announced to the public
it was to be used exclusively on mail directed to Little America. Later,
when the design of the stamp was released, a loud outcry occurred. The
question was raised: "Why is a stamp with the wording 'U.S. POSTAGE'
printed on it invalid for regular postal use?" President Roosevelt
and PMG Farley reconsidered their original concept for the Little America
"only" usage of this stamp and it was reclassified as a typical
commemorative issue. The stamp stayed on sale at the philatelic window
in Washington for just 12 months after which it was withdrawn from sale
without notice. Several days prior to being withdrawn, the expedition
either purchased or was given a very large quantity of the issue and at
a later date began selling them as blocks and sheets. Byrd-autographed
versions sold for a few dollars extra. Again, this was an attempt to raise
funds for the expedition; more on this first issue will follow.

A few months
later a second version of the Little America stamp was to appear in conjunction
with a well-established stamp show. On January 8, 1934, Eugene Pollock,
Chairman of the National Stamp Exhibition, suggested to postal officials
the issuing of an exhibit souvenir sheet. Mr. Pollock was successful and
it was agreed to issue what is referred today as the "Admiral Byrd"
souvenir sheet.

The sheet
was printed at the BEP on a flat bed press. The format was 25 imperforate,
ungummed panes of six stamps each per sheet. Full sheets were cut into
panes prior to issue and no full sheets were sold to the public. However,
PMG Farley made sure that some were given his autograph and then presented
to friends and associates.

On February
10, 1934, just prior to placing the souvenir sheets on sale at the show,
Farley assisted in printing a demonstration sheet. A press was at the
show for this purpose and all sheets printed by this press were destroyed.
The scene was broadcast live by radio and it was announced that this first
sheet would be sent to President Roosevelt for his collection. Those standing
close enough to see this first sheet did not believe it would be sent
to the president as it was a poor impression, badly misplaced in the press
and incomplete.

Upon assuming
his postal duties the previous year, Farley had instituted a policy of
having multiple first days of issue per stamp. During his tenure 75 different
stamps were given this treatment. The "Admiral Byrd" souvenir
sheet was one such issue and its "second" first day was on February
19, 1934 at the main post office in Washington, D.C. It is interesting
to note here that on this date the Army Air Corps began temporarily flying
the U.S. mail. In actuality, there were 46 cities across the nation that
had mail flights on this date and all of them could have carried covers
franked with this issue, thus creating very unusual first day covers!

On March
15, 1935, at the main U.S. Post Office in Washington, D.C., a group of
stamps generally referred to as "Farley's Follies" was reissued.
Both the Little America stamp and the Admiral Byrd souvenir sheet were
included in this group. The perforated reissue was sold ungummed in full
sheets or position blocks. Positive identification is by blocks or pairs
with guide lines between stamps. The souvenir sheet reissue was sold ungummed
(as original), but in full sheets of groups of panes. Positive identification
is by blocks or panes showing gutters between panes.

When considering
all the facts, events and mysteries that surround these stamp issues,
one must conclude that it would be hard to find another U.S. postage stamp
to rival those honoring Admiral Byrd. Many hours can be spent digging
through old newspapers, magazines and philatelic reference material in
search of a clue or fact here and there that adds to our understanding
of this truly oddball stamp, issued at a truly unusual era in U.S. Postal
History.

In the
next section we will explore the usage of these issues on mail bound for
Little America, Antarctica.